Gallagher’s decision followed a motion for summary judgment that was filed by the plaintiffs, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, after they won a preliminary injunction that blocked parts of Trump’s anti-DEI policy since April. (Gallagher was appointed by Trump during his first presidency in 2018.)

A federal judge appointed by Trump struck down several efforts made by the U.S. Department of Education to curb educators’ use of DEI.

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher found that the Education Department​ violated the law when it threatened to cut federal funding from educational institutions that continued with DEI initiatives.